Irrawaddy-Jan 7
The military’s proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) met with 37 other political parties that attended the junta-organized Independence Day parade in Naypyitaw on Wednesday. The informal meeting followed junta chief Min Aung Hlaing’s announcement that his regime is determined to hold a so-called election later this year. The parallel civilian government and much of the international community have dismissed the planned poll as a sham designed to cement military.
Min Aung Hlaing and diplomats at a dinner to mark the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence in Naypyitaw. USDP chair Khin Yi wrote on social media that the parties at the meeting had agreed to use their collective strength to help the country. The meeting was the first between pro-military parties since August 2020, when 34 political parties met Min Aung Hlaing under the aegis of the USDP before the election in November that year. Back then, the parties raised concerns about November’s general election and sought his assurance that they could count on his help if the voting turned unfair. They also called for then Union Election Commission chair U Hla Thein to be replaced, saying they had no trust in him as he was appointed by the National League for Democracy (NLD). Min Aung Hlaing duly staged a coup in Feb. 2021, three months after the NLD won the election by a landslide. The same parties were among those that met Khin Yi on Wednesday as they sought help to fulfill the junta boss’s dream of becoming the country’s president. The election is scheduled to take place in August. Read more at: ttps://www.irrawaddy.com/specials/junta-watch/junta-watch-pro-military-parties-line-up-for-sham-election-death-stains-dictators-military-parade-and-more.html
